Theatre in Paris, Texas -- alive and LES MIS!

I haven't talked about theatre in a long time so you'll be glad to know that theatre in Lamar County is alive and well. There are some stellar productions coming to Paris in many venues this fall. We are dreaming a bit big. But that is ok. I mean, check out this video -- it isn't theatre, but is still performing art (in a BIG way!). It shows why we can dream big. It starts with just one person with a dream and goes from there.

One person can dream big, and others can follow, and it can be magical and inspiring.We live in a very artistic, talented area, it's somewhat our niche! Sometimes, the talent goes away and lives big, and sometimes the talent comes to live here and act with / teach the rest of us (for which we are thankful). I just got through reading this awesome little book about dreaming big and the performance arts by home grown boy Jay Hunter Morris, a real life opera singer.

I highly recommend it to all you dreamers out there who love a good laugh, too. Congrats on your Opera career Jay, and thank you for writing about your experiences. [Note for book snobs out there: there is one little editorial issue that is going to make you a bit crazy if you are an elipses purist, but trust me it all works out in the end, don't let that drive you away. Now Jay, you can feel free to come critique me anytime, I promise I give plenty of opportunity for it].

So, how is Paris dreaming big this fall with theatre? Well, first comes Paris Junior College, who is going back to the days of incorporating the community into their productions. On November 14 through 17 -- ONE WEEKEND ONLY, including two matinees, PJC is producing what many believe to be the best musical of our time:

I can't help it, I love this story and the musical. I've written a number of times about it if you are interested, (but come right back!!).

I've loved it for a long time, but am really enjoying seeing the story come alive here at home with a few adults and a crew of "the next generation" at PJC, whether they are singing about life and death rebellion, first love, loss and heartache, or some of the baudier fun songs.

There is a reason that Les Mis is still popular today, and I think Tolstoy summed it up himself:

So long as there shall exist, by virtue of law and custom, decrees of damnation pronounced by society, artifically creating hells amid the civilization of earth, and adding the element of human fate to divine destiny; so long as the three great problems of the century -- the degredation of man through pauperism, the corruption of woman through hunger, the crippling of children through lack of light -- are unsolved; so long as social asphyxia is possible in any part of the world -- in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books of the nature of "Les Miserables" cannot fail to be of use.

Thank you PJC for dreaming big, so that we can all know and be reminded of this incredible story of grace. The music -- the story -- belongs to the people, including those of Paris, Texas. It will be worth your time to go see it, and, don't tell them I said it, but there are some Jay Hunter Morris (Male & Female!) potentials among this crew!

Here are the details:

November 14-16 at 7.30 pm

November 16 & 17 at 2:30 pm

Tickets are $10.00 general admission & Free to PJC Students, Faculty, and Staff with ID.

Tickets can now be reserved by emailing name, date of show, and number of tickets to pjcdrama@parisjc.edu. Also, check out the Facebook page link above for fun pics and rehearsal moments.

After that, North Lamar gets a turn with ANYTHING GOES (end of November). Yes, they have had try outs and are actively rehearsing, and it is going to be fun! (Contact North Lamar for tickets!)And then, PCT brings it home with ANNIE (in December). You can already purchase tickets at www.pctonstage.com plus, you should check out their Facebook page (link above) for fun rehearsal pics and details on more upcoming events, such as the HAUNTED THEATRE this weekend and Halloween, and Auditions for Butterflies are Free. Can't wait to see you there. Thank you to all of these incredible performing arts folks who bring stories alive to us. Live Theatre changes lives!

2017 Favorites!

Perhaps a little heavy for a blissful holiday weekend, but here in America don't we owe our memories to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us? And how best to revere them than by sitting down with a little book that packs a punch ...

I completely support and respect this. Whether you love Bush or weren't a fan, as an American you owe it to these wounded warriors to hear their stories that he is telling. Bravo all of you, and Thank You for everything you've done for m...

So wonderful. I love you even more now, Trevor Noah, especially because you made your mom the star. A must read. And I picked up an excellent parenting tip that totally works. (No spoiler here-it's the Write me a letter argument, love it...

Very interesting. Not explainable. Not for the faint of heart.
***I think I finally have just a few words for this book. It is to be visited and revisited. I'm a huge fan of audio and much of the time will both listen and read a book. W...

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A Note on Ratings

You will notice that I have a number of high ratings for my 20-- Favorites list. I do really enjoy books. I also believe we are all a little stingy with our ratings. It is very hard to write a good book! So if a book is well written, resonates with me, and has a satisfying ending (not meaning happy but right), then I rate the book a 5 star rating. If I loved the book, but it was missing one of these, then I rate it a 4. Enjoyed the book but found some real literary flaws, a 3, OR just found the book ok, even if well written, also a 3. In other words, if I only come across one 5 star a year, heavens I'll just have to find another hobby. Take care with your ratings, and, PLEASE, go ahead and give a 5 if it meets all your standards. It's ok to love that book, even if it is not the very very very best book ever! Then again, if you have a negative reaction to it, share your opinion, you are entitled. And that's all I have to say about that.